RAMDDA (Research and Academic Mobility for Drug Discovery in Africa) is an Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme project funded by the European Union. It supports postgraduate students, research trainees, and staff to move between African universities and build capacity in drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, analytical science, and related biomedical fields.

Applicants must be nationals of African countries and either:

• Registered or admitted students in eligible MSc or PhD programmes at a RAMDDA partner institution, or
• Prospective candidates who meet the admission criteria of the host institution, or
• Academic or technical staff and research trainees formally affiliated with one of the partner institutions.

Each call for applications clearly specifies the eligible target groups and academic levels.

RAMDDA supports four main mobility categories:

• MSc student mobility (degree-seeking and credit-seeking)
• PhD student mobility (degree-seeking and credit-seeking)
• Research trainee mobility for short-term training and lab placements
• Staff mobility for academic, technical, and administrative staff

The mix of mobilities across partner institutions is designed to build a sustainable pipeline from early-career researchers to senior academic leaders.

All applications are submitted online through the official RAMDDA application portal, accessible from the Apply page. The call for applications provides step-by-step guidance, including:

• Eligibility criteria and academic requirements
• List of partner institutions and available programmes
• Required documents and templates
• Deadlines and evaluation timelines

Applications submitted by email or through unofficial channels are not considered.

Requirements may vary by academic level and host institution, but typically include:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Motivation letter or study/research plan
• Two academic reference letters
• Proof of registration or admission at the home institution (if applicable)
• Endorsement or support letter from a supervisor (particularly for PhD)
• Copy of passport or national identity document
• Language proficiency evidence if required by the host institution

Always consult the current call document for the exact list and required formats.

Evaluation starts after the application deadline. The process generally includes:

1. Eligibility screening by the RAMDDA Secretariat
2. Academic assessment by home and host institutions
3. Ranking and final selection by the RAMDDA selection committee

The expected timeline for notification is indicated in each call. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates are informed by email using the contact details provided in the application.

No. Mobility must take place between different countries and institutions within the RAMDDA network. Your host institution must be a partner university located in a different country from your home or current institution.

No. RAMDDA scholarships are reserved for students, trainees, and staff who are registered at, or admitted to, one of the RAMDDA partner institutions. If you are currently enrolled elsewhere, you would first need to meet the admission criteria of a partner university.

RAMDDA does not define a strict age limit. However, each host institution and programme may:

• Set minimum academic performance or GPA thresholds
• Specify required prior degrees or disciplines
• Require relevant research or professional experience for advanced levels

These details are provided in the call text and in programme descriptions on partner university websites.

The exact benefits are specified in the scholarship contract and call documents, but typically include:

• Monthly subsistence allowance
• Travel allowance for one round trip between home and host institutions
• Health and accident insurance for the mobility period
• Tuition contributions or fee waivers where applicable
• In some cases, additional support for research consumables

Stipend amounts may differ by academic level (MSc, PhD, trainee, staff) and are aligned with programme rules.

If withdrawal becomes necessary (for example due to serious health, family circumstances, or visa issues), you must:

• Inform the RAMDDA Secretariat in writing as soon as possible
• Notify both home and host institutions

Funding already disbursed will normally be prorated to cover the period completed. Additional financial implications are clarified in the scholarship contract.

No. RAMDDA scholarships are awarded to individual candidates only. They do not include additional allowances for family members, dependants, or spouses, and do not cover family relocation costs.

If you are selected:

1. You receive an official scholarship offer and acceptance instructions.
2. You sign a scholarship contract with the host institution, specifying rights and obligations.
3. You begin visa and travel arrangements, in coordination with the host institution.
4. You complete any remaining academic or administrative requirements before departure.

Clear reporting and communication procedures will be outlined in your scholarship documentation.

Deferral is not automatic. If you need to request a change of start date:

• Submit a written request to the RAMDDA Secretariat and host institution with justification.
• Provide supporting documentation where relevant.

Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account project timelines, funding regulations, and host institution capacity.

Yes. Awardees are typically required to:

• Submit periodic progress or activity reports.
• Provide a final report at the end of the mobility.
• Participate in academic and administrative evaluations where requested.

These mechanisms ensure that the mobility contributes effectively to both your academic development and the objectives of the RAMDDA project.

For questions about eligibility, documentation, or the application portal, you may contact:

• The RAMDDA Secretariat through the contact details on the Contact page.
• The mobility coordinator at your home institution.

When contacting support, always include your full name, application reference (if available), and a clear description or screenshot of the problem.

First, check your spam or junk mail folders. If the confirmation message is not there:

• Verify that you entered the correct email address in the application form.
• Log in to the portal to confirm that your application status appears as submitted.
• Contact the RAMDDA Secretariat and include your name and, if possible, your application ID.

No. There are no application, processing, or selection fees for RAMDDA scholarships. Any request for payment in exchange for a scholarship offer, faster processing, or guaranteed selection is fraudulent and should be reported to the RAMDDA Secretariat.

To safeguard your information:

• Submit documents only through the official RAMDDA application portal or institutional channels.
• Do not share login details or one-time codes with third parties.
• Ignore and report unsolicited messages asking for passwords or payments.

RAMDDA and partner institutions process personal data in line with applicable data protection regulations and the privacy statements published in the call documentation.

Yes, you may contact programme coordinators or potential supervisors at partner institutions to discuss academic fit and research interests. However, scholarship applications must still be submitted and processed through the official RAMDDA mechanisms.

In some cases, capacity constraints or programme changes may limit the number of available places at a given host institution. Where possible, the RAMDDA Secretariat may:

• Suggest alternative host institutions within the network, or
• Reallocate scholarships while maintaining fairness and programme objectives.

Any changes are communicated directly to affected applicants with clear guidance on next steps.

For credit-seeking mobility, it is essential to obtain formal recognition agreements with your home institution before departure. Programme coordinators at your home and host institutions should confirm:

• Which courses, research credits, or thesis work will be recognised.
• How transcripts and grades from the host institution will be integrated into your record.

Degree-seeking mobility follows the host institution's regulations, while still benefiting from the broader RAMDDA network.